VF Corp. has tapped An Claes as VP of supply chain operations in EMEA, the latest executive shift for the footwear and apparel conglomerate.
Claes replaces Stuart Pond, who is taking on the role of VP of global supply chain platforms. In this new role, Claes will oversee the supply chain matrix in Europe and will help the team adapt to shifting consumer preferences. She will report to EVP of global supply chain Cameron Bailey.
“I am honored to join VF and its portfolio of iconic brands, and I look forward to working with the leadership team and with all the talented people in the EMEA region,” Claes said. “I am committed to leveraging my experience and customer-first mindset to further enhance VF’s supply chain operations, drive innovation, delight our consumers and contribute to the continued success of the company.”
Claes spent almost 25 years in logistics, planning and sourcing for companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Nike before joining VF. She most recently served as senior VP of deliver operations in EMEA for Johnson & Johnson.
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Martino Scabbia Guerrini, VF EVP and president of EMEA, APAC and emerging brands, said in a statement that An’s “impressive track record, leadership qualities, and commitment to innovation, sustainability, and diversity make her an ideal choice for this important role.”
The appointment comes amid a time of change for the retail powerhouse that owns Vans, The North Face and other brands. Earlier this week, an activist investor with a stake in VF Corp. outlined a plan it says can increase shareholder value and cut costs at the company. This plan includes measures meant to reduce costs by $300 million and restore brand authority by reinvesting $100 million of savings into VF’s largest brands, Vans and The North Face. The firm also called for a full review of non-core assets and asked for VF to “publicly commit to no further acquisitions.” The investor also called for the appointment of new board members that “prioritize value creation.”
VF Corp. is also entering an era of change under its new CEO, former Logitech International CEO and president Bracken Darrell, who was appointed to the company in June. Analysts were overall positive on Darrell’s potential to turn around the company, which has been impacted by higher-than-usual inventory levels, executive turnover and a challenging wholesale environment.
In addition to Darrell, VF has seen several other leadership shifts in recent months. In April, the company named Jen McLaren as brand president of Altra and GM of VF North America Key Accounts role. Todd Dalhausser, the former brand president of Altra, was named the global brand president of Dickies and Icebreaker president Jan Van Mossevelde assumed responsibility for the Smartwool brand.
In August, VF Corp. reported a rough first quarter, largely driven by weakness at the Vans brand. Net losses for the first quarter widened to $57.4 million from $56 million a year, with adjusted losses per share of 15 cents. For Vans, business was down 22 percent, largely from a 40 percent dip in the Americas wholesale business. At the time, rightsizing Vans was a top priority for VF.
